Posted!

Join the Conversation

Comments

Welcome to our new and improved comments, which are for subscribers only.
This is a test to see whether we can improve the experience for you.
You do not need a Facebook profile to participate.

You will need to register before adding a comment.
Typed comments will be lost if you are not logged in.

Please be polite.
It's OK to disagree with someone's ideas, but personal attacks, insults, threats, hate speech, advocating violence and other violations can result in a ban.
If you see comments in violation of our community guidelines, please report them.

Officials try to solve 'spice' issues

Clay Morris, Drug Enforcement Administration Assistant Special Agent in Charge, talks about synthetic drugs during a meeting at the U.S. Attorney's offices in Montgomery, Ala., on Wednesday April 29, 2015. (Mickey Welsh / Montgomery Advertiser)

Buy Photo

Clay Morris, Drug Enforcement Administration Assistant Special Agent in Charge, gives a presentation on drug issues in Alabama during a meeting at the U.S. Attorney's offices in Montgomery, Ala., on Wednesday April 29, 2015.(Photo: Mickey Welsh / Advertiser)Buy Photo

U.S. Attorney George Beck believes the influx of drugs in Alabama, such as synthetic marijuana and heroin, are causing problems in the state.

"They're killers and people who peddle these poisons are killers in my opinion," Beck said. "We're going to try to get the word out to everyone and we're going to try to educate the people on what's out there and what can be done about it."

On Wednesday, Beck and several other law enforcement and state officials met in Montgomery to discuss the issues facing Alabama. The meeting was part of a brainstorming activity to find ways to combat the drug issues facing Alabama. Representatives included Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange, Alabama Superintendent Tommy Bice and others.

"It's a team effort and our pledge is to the citizens that we are going to continue to make this a top priority and we're going to continue to go after the people that sell these drugs that are corrupting our society and also try to get help to the people who are being affected by this, young and old," Strange said.

Clay Morris, assistant special agent in charge with the Drug Enforcement Administration, said that with synthetic marijuana, also known as "spice," there is nothing affiliated with marijuana in the drug.

"This is a synthetic drug that is killing our children," Morris said.

From April 9-27, Montgomery law enforcement and emergency personnel have responded to 88 medical calls involving 96 patients that had experienced side effects related to the drug, which can include an elevated blood pressure as well as violent and psychotic behavior. Across Alabama, nearly 400 people between March 15 and April 20 had reportedly experienced symptoms linked to synthetic marijuana usage, in addition to nearly 100 hospitalizations and two deaths statewide, including one in Montgomery a couple of weeks ago.

"One thing you need to know about synthetic drugs is that kids on the street refer to them by their scientific abbreviations," Morris said, referring to the brands "2C-I" and "25I-NBOMe."

In addition, Morris also talked about the rise of heroin in Alabama, with nearly 200 deaths in Jefferson County reportedly connected to heroin and prescription pill overdoses. Law enforcement say they have been dealing with a number of heroin cases in the River Region.

"I've never interviewed a heroin addict who did not have a prescription pill abuse problem," Morris said. "They are one and the same."

Bice said he was aware of many school systems in the state that were facing issues with drugs and that he hoped he and other educators could bring awareness to the issue.

"Awareness is the first step to make sure that our teachers, our administrators and our parents and kids are more aware about what is going on so we can be proactive in getting resources and saving kids on the front end," Bice said.

CLOSE

Clay Morris, Drug Enforcement Administration Assistant Special Agent in Charge, talks about heroin during a meeting at the U.S. Attorney's offices in Montgomery, Ala., on Wednesday April 29, 2015. (Mickey Welsh / Montgomery Advertiser)